Detroit has become world renowned as an innovator and leader in the rise of community gardening and urban agriculture. Beyond the negative and superficial portrayals of Detroit as bankrupt, we will learn about creative and imaginative forms of urban revitalization emerging from grassroots organizing and radical visioning. This class will meet in Detroit, providing an opportunity not only to learn about urban farming but also get hands-on experience working with and learning from urban farmers in the city.

First, we will study the historical context for urban agriculture through an analysis of southern African American migration, racial segregation, white flight, and the decline of industry in Detroit.

Second, we will discus how urban agriculture arose in conjunction with neighborhood community organizing, anti-racist activism, and movements for Black self-determination.

Third, we will explore how urban farmers promote the concepts of:

food justice — to address race and class inequality within health and nutrition;

food sovereignty — to stop the hijacking of global food production and distribution by multinational corporations; and

and environmental justice — to restore sustainable methods of farming, maintain vibrant local economies, and combat sprawl, gentrification, and violence.

Finally, we will examine the debates and controversies surrounding projects to promote large-scale corporate farming, the rule of the emergency manager, and massive land transfers and redevelopment in Detroit.

NOTE: Data maintained by department in Wolverine Access. If no textbooks are listed below, check with the department.

ISBN: 1612191274

Stuffed and starved : the hidden battle for the world food systems, Author: Raj Patel., Publisher: Melville House 1st Melvil

Required

ISBN: 0520272595

The next American revolution : sustainable activism for the twenty-first century, Author: Grace Lee Boggs with Scott Kurashige ; foreword by Danny Glover., Publisher: University of California Press Updated an

Syllabi are available to current LSA students. IMPORTANT: These syllabi are provided to give students a general idea about the courses, as offered by LSA departments and programs in prior academic terms. The syllabi do not necessarily reflect the assignments, sequence of course materials, and/or course expectations that the faculty and departments/programs have for these same courses in the current and/or future terms.